University questions missing purpose in Public Health Bill

The University of Fiji has told Parliament that the proposed Public Health Amendment Bill 2026 fails to state its purpose, describing the omission as the most pressing concern with the draft legislation.

Making submissions to Parliament's Standing Committee on Social Affairs in Suva on Friday, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem said legislation without a clearly stated purpose left the public uncertain about its intent.

"Every legislation in the modern world needs to have a purpose, because how else would people know why we're doing this particular exercise," she said.

Opposition MP Parveen Bala questioned Ministry of Health and Medical Services officials on whether the Bill's purpose was reflected anywhere in the proposed amendments.

National WASH Co-ordinator Toga Vosataki said the Act's purpose was understood to be "for the sole reason of protecting public health", although it was not explicitly stated in the legislation.

Professor Shameem also raised constitutional concerns, warning that enforcement powers proposed for a new Head of Environmental Health could breach Section 11(3) of the Constitution, which limits forced medical treatment by the State.

Acting Chief Health Inspector Luke Vonotabua clarified that the position was not new, but a renamed version of the Chief Health Inspector role established under the 1935 legislation and filled through the Public Service Commission's merit-based recruitment process.

The University of Fiji also recommended that the Bill:

• Insert a clear purpose clause.
• Devolve health services to communities with proper funding.
• Modernise outdated terms such as "venereal disease".
• Separate environmental health powers from the Permanent Secretary's office.
• Include representatives from the University of Fiji and Fiji National University on the Central Board of Health.
• Apply different penalties for individuals and corporations.